India is a multifaceted country. It is a real mixture of old and new traditions of both the West and the East. The liveliness of big cities, the diversity of people, the interweaving of sounds, the richness of colors and smells and the unpredictable nature of everyday life - all this defines India. If you plan to do business with Indian partners or in India itself, it is important to understand the features of this vibrant culture.
We have compiled for you a small checklist on the basics of business culture in India - it will help you avoid unpleasant situations when negotiating and concluding deals with Indian partners.
About business culture in general
The common language of the business world in India is English, it is spoken by the vast majority of citizens, including the working class.
In India, a hierarchy is respected. Indians are clearly aware of the social order and their status in relation to other people, whether they are family, friends or strangers. When making an appointment, make sure that your status (or the status of your delegation) corresponds to the status of the opposite side.
Meetings and business correspondence are traditionally conducted by email. You should contact by name and surname, adding “Mr.” / “Mrs.” at the beginning. Over time, when moving to a closer contact with a partner, the degree of formality can be reduced. When making the first meeting, you should give a brief description of yourself, the company, the purpose of the meeting and give a list of issues / abstracts for discussion. In India, it is considered quite appropriate to hold meetings in restaurants, so if you intend to invite a partner for a business lunch or dinner, it is advisable to clarify whether he is a vegetarian and what cuisine he prefers.
In India, the notion of “flexible working hours” is common. Tardiness, delayed meetings or their interruption is considered quite normal, which should not be taken as personal disrespect.
Dress code
In the business community, preference is given to classic suits, shirts and ties - the severity of appearance depends on the formality of the meeting. An exception is only the IT sphere. Where the dress code comes down to more free: t-shirts, jeans, sneakers. In addition, the traditional Indian costume is a normal occurrence for the business environment.
Indians appreciate when foreign partners put on a traditional Indian costume for social and semi-business meetings - this is seen as a gesture of friendship and a desire to penetrate Indian culture. In the case of official events and meetings, you should adhere to the framework of the standard international dress code.
Greeting
The traditional Indian greeting is the Namaste, which you make with your clasped hands, and with your fingers pointing up, in front of the chest with a slight nod of the head. In modern business, the usual handshake between men is widespread (this is less common with women).
Preliminary communication
Any business communication begins with a couple of simple phrases to defuse the situation and establish a more confidential atmosphere. In India, weather, politics, or economics are standard topics for a preliminary discussion. However, Indians may perplex you with a question that may seem too personal or intrusive, such as family or personal life. In India, this is considered a sign of friendliness and interest in you, as an interlocutor. It is worth reacting calmly, as a sign of respect, you can ask a similar question.
Negotiations and conclusion of deals
Be patient. Indian businessmen have extensive experience in concluding deals and are used to carefully thinking and calculating all their decisions. Get ready for lengthy, highly detailed conversations.
India is not typical of such a thing as “loss of face”, therefore laconicism and frankness are appreciated in communication. You can directly talk about what you want to achieve from a meeting or a deal. It is important to be straightforward about what you are looking for and have prepared documentation detailing your orders.
Business gifts
The consequences of a wrong gift can be disastrous. Customs is very different from ours, so the choice of a business gift should be approached with particular responsibility.
It is strictly forbidden to gift cowhide products (since the cow is a sacred animal), gifts packed in black or white paper (harbingers of trouble, it is better to use yellow, green or red colors), an even number of objects (a symbol of unhappiness). It is also worth refraining from gifting alcohol (due to religious characteristics) and things related to pigs, dogs or reptiles (considered dirty animals).
You need to present a gift with two hands, making a slight tilt forward.
Despite the fact that global business standards of etiquette are acceptable in the Indian business community, a deeper understanding of the mentality and the ability to build a strategy based on the cultural characteristics of the partner will become your personal key to all doors.
